BUSHCRAFT Camp Chair – FREE PATTERN

I am always trying to come up with solutions to common frustrations within the Bushcraft and Camping arena. One of the most common frustrations is having a comfortable seat once you’ve settled in for the night while camping in the back country. I’ve tried packing a small collapsible camp chair but the ones I’ve found have been too bulky and haven’t really fit into my minimalist mentality. And, none of them seem to be multi-functional…which is a requirement of almost everything I pack.

So…I’ve been experimenting with camp chair solutions over the years and I’ve finally found one that I am happy with. I call it the WillowHaven Stöl. Stöl is swedish for Stool. If you’ve been looking for a great BushCraft project – this might be the one for you. Below are step-by-step instructions for how to make your own. A FREE PATTERN pdf download is at the end. It’s bigger than a normal 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper but you might be able to print multiple sheets and tape them together. If projects aren’t your thing but you really love the chair concept, I offer them for sale in the WHO store. You can buy the pattern, the cut leather to sew yourself or the completed chair with or without the WillowHavenOutdoor Logo. Below are step-by-step photos with some commentary:

Step 1: Trace your pattern on 1/8″ thick Saddle Grade Leather

Step 2: Here is the Traced Chair pattern on Leather

Step 3: Cut it out using any Utility Knife

Step 4: I pre-punched the holes for sewing using a Thonging Leather Chisel

Step 5 (OPTIONAL): I applied a Vinyl Decal to prevent the dye from staining the leather where my logo is.

Step 6: I applied a walnut leather stain because I liked the color. Notice the Vinyl Decal is still there – which blocks the dye.

Step 7: I removed the Vinyl Decal to reveal the unstained logo.

Step 8: Dried & Ready to begin sewing.

Step 9: Sewing through the punched holes using a thick wax leather working thread and a Speedy Stitcher Sewing Tool

Step 10: Sewing complete – trim all loose thread.

Step 11: Under side view

Step 12: Showing the under side pockets created by Sewing

Step 13: Set Up and Ready to Enjoy!

I love this chair design for several reasons. First, all you have to carry with you into the bush is the leather chair top and some paracord. The chair top weighs virtually nothing. Once in the bush just collect three sturdy sticks about the length of your arm and use a sheer lashing to lash them together. That’s all there is to it. I’ve used the chair as a plate before and when I go camping with friends I’ve used it as a Camp Frisbee as well – it actually works pretty well.

Below is a video of me setting up the chair and showing how I make the tripod base. Here is the link to download the FREE PDF PATTERN for the chair top. You can right click and SAVE AS if you wish. If you have any trouble downloading it just email me at creek@willowhavenoutdoor.com and I will send you one.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this design. Let me know if you have any questions about making your own!

Comments

Have you thought about modifying a little further and expanding the usage possibilities of such a design?

A lot of packs these days come with support strips under the padding usually on the inside of the pack, usually two of them…
If you can stitch in another post in the middle, and exchange the bars for tubes which are both structurally stronger and considerably lighter. Follow me here
Each tube can have another 2inch tube on the top or bottom of each, two for use one as a spare.
Putting the whole thing together you have a very functional blow pipe around about 5-6 feet depending on size, which also can be used as a fire blower if you happen to want to blacksmith or just to restart the coals in the morning fire…The removable sections can ensure heat doesn’t build up too much.

The bottom of each tube is obviously hollow, but plugs can be carved in about a minute, or you can carry plastic end stops which is easier for me and it contains everything inside. (read on)

My stool design is quite a bit smaller, my blow pipe is just over four feet so it’s a pretty small stool, (trying to go with smaller and smaller packs) But I find this works better with sitting closer to the ground, meaning I can get away with being closer to the fire or using less material for the fire itself which in turn reduces tell tale signs of being there…

You can store too as I mentioned above, I tend to store a selection of BBQ skewers inside mine which can poke into one piece of stick and set on another for use as a grill or drying rack.

Darts can be made from them in blow pipe use, 7-8″ is about the maximum I can get away with and you need to add extra fibre threads to balance it though. I haven’t found a way to make full 9 inch darts yet, so if needed I cut them…

Also, if you are familiar with them, Bo shuriken/ needle shuriken are fun to practice with. Only suitable in a survival situation if you can find a suitably non toxic poison to use. But it’s an extra possibility.

The darts I carry are about 9 inches in reality as they come that size for me, and can be packed tip to top with cotton wool as extra fire starter material and noise cancellation. But I carry a sliver of hacksaw blade so I can cut them down for blow pipe use. And my leatherman has a diamond file which shapes them easily.

BTW, I had not thought about the frizbe side of the top half, nice one.
If you decide to try this method, please credit me *8thsinner”

I have spent the last 4-5 years trying to design my perfect (10,000 miles start to finishing points UK – Australia) world tour motor bike trip which should begin next summer I have played with many many multi use ideas, I suspect much like yourself.

If you carry a saw, you can make chess pieces by cutting dowel into 24 x 1/4″ thick pieces, and use a pattern on the stool you have a chess set ready to go in long term settlements.

I carry a mill bag, as it’s use is perpetual. But, with just the poles filled with sand you have a pretty effective filter if not a slow one. Only use one pole, and that still requires a funnel with a large capacity on top but bottles are usually easy to come across and duct tape should be the sealer.

Instead of carrying skewers inside you could pack in an entire survival kit doug ritter style but bigger. First aid, fire and water, or what ever you wanted, but it means the pack itself is a survival kit that way.

Oh one more thing. I carry a leather braided thingy on my middle back trouser belt clip with a mini key ring caribeaner.
It’s a figure 8 but one hole is smaller than the other, the smaller end has the clip on it. the larger end can be sized if you can braid well enough, to fit perfectly the poles in the bag for making the stool. Set up is reduced to seconds instead of minutes. But I still carry hundreds of feet of cord in multiple locations, I am a string hogger.
This clip for me is part of a lanyard system which works well with a bolo styled necklace.
Here is a link (cached) to my design even though the image has since been removed.